Operating means for press control mechanism



March 30, 1937, A. F. HANNEY OPERATING MEANS FOR PRESS- CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Oct. l, 1935 yAToRNEYs Patented Mar. 30, 1937 U TE ST amaai PATN'E' if'iE OPERATING MEANS FOR PRESS CONTROL MECHANSM Application October 1, 1935, Serial No. 43,067

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a control mechanism for a pressing machine.

I have provided herein an improved control mechanism for a pressing machine having a pair oi ccacting pressing members and motor means for closing the members rst in a preliminary step Where the operators hands are safe from injury and, second, in a nal step which places the pressing members under heavy pressure. The

control mechanism is provided with two members for controlling the rst step, these members being so spaced as to require the simultaneous use of both hands of the operator. The control member for the second step is arranged to be automatically operated upon movement of one of the rst named control members when released. My improved control mechanism as applied to the type of press just described includes a control member for the rst step of the press closing movement, means biasing this member in its off position and means for actuating the control member for the second step of the press closing operation actuated by this biasing means.

My invention also includes a novel latching mechanism between two control members, each for a different motor, so that operation of the control member for one motor latches the same with the control member for the other motor, whereupon return movement of the rst control member actuates the second control member.

Other advantages and novel features of my pressing machine control will be obvious as the description proceeds and the essential features will be summarized in the claims.

5 In the drawing, Fig. 1 is an end elevation partly in section of a pressing machine embodying my invention and with the control mechanism shown diagrammatically; while Figs. 2 and 3 are partial views showing the control mechanism of Fig. l in various of its operated positions.

While my control mechanism is applicable to various types of presses, I have chosen to illustrate the same as applied to a machine such as is used in pressing laundry articles and garments.

I have also shown the control mechanism applied to a pressing machine in which each pressing member is movable toward the other to completely close the press but the principles here disclosed might also be applied to a machine in which one member was moved by two steps, rst into a preliminary closed position and second into a final closed position. In the form shown, on a frame I9 is pivotally mounted a head lever i I which carries a pressing head I2. The pressing head is biased in open position by a spring I3 and is moved to closed position by a pair of toggle links I4 and I5 connected between the rear end of the head lever and the frame and actuated by a motor I6. This motor has a cylinder Ia housing a piston |622 whose rod ISc is con- 5 nected to the toggle links. A small vent IId is provided in the forward end of the cylinder for a purpose later disclosed. Motive fluid is supplied to motor i6 from a supply conduit I1 through valves in spaced casings I8 and I9 connected together by a conduit 20 and connected With motor I6 by a conduit 2i. Valve casing I8 houses a normally closedinlet valve I8a, which is biased by a spring I8b toward closed position. The valve is actuated by a manual 22, details of which will be later described. Valve casing I9 houses a normally closed inlet valve and a normally open outlet valve and is actuated by a manual 23. Manuals 22 and 23 are spaced apart before the operator at the front of the press in a manner to require a hand on each of them to actuate the valves in casing I8 and I9 and both of these valves must be operated to actuate motor I6 because if manual 22 is released valve I8a closes and motor I6 will be vented through IGd. Whereas if manual 23 is released the eX- haust valve in casing I9 will be opened and the inlet valve closed and the motor I9 will be evacuated.

For coaction with the pressing head a pressing bed 24 is mounted in the frame I9 for a limited vertical movement relative thereto and guided in such movement by pins 24a. which enter suitable bores in the frame. 'I'he bed is lifted by a cylinder and piston motor 25 having a cylinder 25a which houses a piston 25h whose stem 25e is adapted to raise the bed. Motive fluid is supplied to motor 25 through conduit 26, valve casing 21 and conduit 28. Valve casing 21 houses a normally closed inlet valve 2id and a normally 40 open outlet valve 2lb biased to their normal position by a spring Z'Ic. Both valves are mounted on a common stem 21d which is operable by a member 29 and more particularly by an upstanding arm 29a rigid therewith. Manual 22 and member 29 are mounted to move freely on a common pivot 3l). Pivotally mounted on the manual 22 is a latching member 3l which is in the form of a bellcrank having a forwardly extending arm 50 3Ia and a downwardly extending arm 3Ib. The downwardly extending arm has a notch 3Ic which is adapted to engage a pin 29h on member 29 when the notch and pin register. The bellcrank member 3I is biased in a counterclockwise direc- 55l ket() tion by a spring 32 which is secured to a stud 22b rigidly connected with the manual 22.

With the parts in the position of Fig. l, the operator arranges the lay of the work upon the bed 2d and depresses manuals Z2 and 23 as shown in Fig. 2. This actuates the valves-,in casngs I8 and i9 Vthus admitting pressure fluid to motor I6 lwhich mak-es a power stroke moving the toggles into and beyond straightened position and moving the head E2 to a position adjacent the bed. At the same time spring lab is compressed and notch 3 ic engages pin 29h. To completely close the press the operator then releases either manual 22Y or both manuals as shown in Fig. 3. Upon release of manual 22 both manuals 22 and 29 move as a unit in counterclockwise direction about pivot 3l)V impelled by spring IBD which is of suflicient strength to overcome spring 27o and to cause this movement of both manuals. The arm 29a engages stem 21d closing valve 28h and opening valve 21a and thus admitting pressure fluid through conduit 28 to motor 25 which makes a stroke vertically upward and raises the bed into pressure engagement with the head. This holds the pressing r membersin engagement because the toggle links 'I4 and I5 are in a strut forming position between the rear end of the head lever'` and the frame. The release of manuals 22 and 23 or either of them is suiiicient to evacuate motor I6. The press remains closed until the operator depresses the arm 3|a of bellcrank 3| thusdisengaging notch 3io from pin 29h, which permits member 29 to rotate in a clockwise direction about pivot 3| and spring 27C returns the valves in casing 21 to normal position to evacuate motor 25. Thereupon the bed and piston 25h move downwardly due to the weight vof the parts and spring 'I3 returns the pressing head to open position 'aided by a snubber and kick mechanism 33.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, motor means operable in two steps for Vcausing relative approach movement between said pressing members, a first step into preliminary position and a second step into final pressing position, control means for said motor means including a member for controlling each of said steps, and an operative connection between a control member for the first step anda control member for the second step operative to move said second step control member in fluid supply direction upon movement of said first step control member in fluid cut-off direction.

y 2. In a pressing machine a pair of coacting relatively movable pressing members, motor means operable in two steps for causing relative approach movement between said pressing members, a first step into preliminary position and a second stepv into iinal pressing position, control members for said motor means for controlling each of said steps, a control member for controlling the first step operation of said motor means and biasedV toward fluid cut-olf position, and a latch connection between said control member and the control member for said second step operation, said latch member being adapted to be engaged by movement of said iirst'step controlV member to uid supply position.

3. In a pressing machine a pair of coating relatively movable pressing members,k a motor for causing relative movement between said members and into a preliminary position, a secondmotor for causing relative movement between said members and into final pressing position, a control member for each motor, and a connection between 4 causing-relative movement between said members and intoY a preliminary position, a second motor for causing relative movement between said members and into nal pressing position, two spaced safety control members for said rst motor Vboth of which must be operated to actuate the motor, a control for said second motor associated with one of said control members for said rst motor, and a connection between said associated control members for actuating the control member for said second motor in fluid supply direction upon movement of the control member for said rst motor in fluid cut-off direction.

5. In a pressing machine a pair of coasting relatively movable pressing members, a motork for causing relative movement between said members and into a preliminary position, a second motor for causing relative movement between said members and into nal pressing position, two spacedY safetycontrol members for said rst motor both of which must be operatedV to actuate the motor,

a control for said second motor associated with one of said control members for said rs't motor, a

pressing members, mechanism for moving one of said members into position adjacent the other, said mechanism being constructed and arranged so that said one member when in said position resists pressure against it, a motor for moving said mechanism to place said one member in said position,a control member therefor, uid actuated means for moving the pressing Asurface of said other member against said one member in said adjacent position, a control member for said last named means, and a connection between said control members for moving said second named member in fluid supply direction by movement of said first namedmember in fluid cut-off direction.

7. In a pressing machine a pair of coacting pressing members mechanism for moving one of tion, a control member therefor, fluid actuated means for moving the pressing surface of said other member against said one member in said adjacent position, a control member for said last named means, means biasing said first named control memberin fluid cut-off direction, means for automatically coupling together both of said control members upon movement of said first named 4control member in fluid supply direction, and said control members being arranged to move ANGUs .n HANNEY.V 

